Easiest way to get internet on a second PC?

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
So I got my old computer hooked up to my TV and finally working and now I need to get internet to it so I can surf the X on my bigscreen. My main computer and router are upstairs, what do I need to get internet on my TV downstairs? Can I buy a second router, hook that up to the cable jack downstairs or will that not work? Can I get a wireless router upstairs and a cheapo USB dongle to recieve the signal downstairs? Is there an easier way (short of running an ethernet cable all the way downstairs)?
 
If it's not to far/hard to get to, I'd hard wire it. Cat5 is like spaghetti, so easy to pull and install. Then you don't ever have to worry about it.
As far as wireless.. You could just attach an access point to the router, and go with a cheap usb wireless setup for the other machine. Or you could replace your existing router with a wireless router, which have gotten very cheap I might add.
Again though, hard-wiring something like this is the way to go IMHO.
 

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
Definitely not interested in hardwiring it, the area from where I have to go from to the area it has to go to would be a tough route and I plan on moving in less than a year. I think a wireless router and a USB dongle will be the way to go. Sooo... what router should I get? I have heard that certain brands suck but have no idea what I am looking at or what to buy. I don't want to spend a ton of money, just enough to surf the web and stream some videos/music.


Can I not just get another router and hook it up to the cable jack downstairs?
 
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Crab

thanks darin...noswad!
Location
Seattle
If it's not to far/hard to get to, I'd hard wire it. Cat5 is like spaghetti, so easy to pull and install. Then you don't ever have to worry about it.
As far as wireless.. You could just attach an access point to the router, and go with a cheap usb wireless setup for the other machine. Or you could replace your existing router with a wireless router, which have gotten very cheap I might add.
Again though, hard-wiring something like this is the way to go IMHO.
Agree, much more better and reliable.
 
Definitely not interested in hardwiring it, the area from where I have to go from to the area it has to go to would be a tough route and I plan on moving in less than a year. I think a wireless router and a USB dongle will be the way to go. Sooo... what router should I get? I have heard that certain brands suck but have no idea what I am looking at or what to buy. I don't want to spend a ton of money, just enough to surf the web and stream some videos/music.


Can I not just get another router and hook it up to the cable jack downstairs?

In that case go wireless. You need to get the internet connection from one cable jack. Otherwise you will need two cable modems, and two services. Once service, one modem into a router then split it however you want from there. Simplest way is to go to walmart and pickup one of the cheap belkin wireless routers and plug it into your cable modem. It has a few hardwire ports also for the computer closest, or they can all be wireless. Set up the security and let it go. People say they suck, but it's the only wireless router I don't have to rest once or twice a week if the service flickers or something. Damn good for the $30-40.
 
I looked on the website I don't see the one I have, must be older. So don't take my word on the reliability of a belkin from walmart, lol. Most I have tried seem to need attention. That's why in the budget range wireless I usually recommend hard wiring unless your using a laptop a lot, which in my case that's all we have, never in the same place.
 
Yeah I would also want to have the option to connect with our laptops and Iphones.

You'll be able to connect everything you have with one of those very easily. They are super easy to setup security etc on. There are many ways to do it, but the easiest, cleanest way is to get a wireless router, probably have 4 hard wire ports. Then you'll be able to connect everything with one box, fairly cheap.
 
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Motorheads5

Livin the generation gap
Location
ketchikan alaska
In that case go wireless. You need to get the internet connection from one cable jack. Otherwise you will need two cable modems, and two services. Once service, one modem into a router then split it however you want from there. Simplest way is to go to walmart and pickup one of the cheap belkin wireless routers and plug it into your cable modem. It has a few hardwire ports also for the computer closest, or they can all be wireless. Set up the security and let it go. People say they suck, but it's the only wireless router I don't have to rest once or twice a week if the service flickers or something. Damn good for the $30-40.
This is exactly what I have and I bought the belkin also! I am 70% happy with it lol I can't keep the security setting's in it :confused:
To hardwire my internet would be a real bitch so I have also gone this route.
 

ger87410

How did I get here?
Location
Fort Worth
What do you mean you can't keep the security settings in it?

j/w: have you tried updating the box's firmware? All of the boxes I've gotten have had firmware updates available when I got them.
 
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